The best Viewpoints in Antequera.
Antequera is a stunning city. We’ve lived here a year and we’re always discovering different spots with great views. The city has a lot of official miradors, but there are other spots around the city where you’ll get unexpected views that will give you a new perspective on the city.
This post covers what I think are the best viewpoints in Antequera. I’m going to indicate each on a map so you can easily find them when you visit the city. I’m also listing them in the most logical order so you can follow the ones I have below in an orderly way.
Note: I’ve included some photos…but look at the video at the bottom of the post, it better represents some of the viewpoints.
1.Ermita de Veracruz
I would recommend you start with this mirador. If you’ve just arrived in Antequera, it’s close to the bus and train station. Or you can drive up, there’s lots of parking.
This church sits on a hill across the city from the Alcazaba. Most of the viewpoints I list below are close to the Alcazaba (the fortress). This viewpoint is by far the best in this part of city and it gives you a great overview of the historic center, the Alcazaba, and the Sierra de Torcal looming behind. If you get good lighting (my experience has always been best around midday) you’ll get some of the most incredible views of the city here.
Many thanks to Turismo Antequera for the maps I’ve used in this post
2. Mirador de las Almenillas
It’s the best-known viewpoint in the city. It’s at the base of the Alcazaba. To get up here: from Plaza de San Sebastian, walk up Cuesta de Zapateros (the street going up behind Bistro Loulou). You’ll get to some stairs. Just continue going up.
Within 10 minutes of your walk up, you’ll have the whole city laid out below up. Count the churches. There are 33 (or 34 depending on who you talk to) in the city. Many are gorgeous. If you look in the distance you’ll see Ermita de Veracruz on the hill opposite.
3. Mirador Michael Hoskin
Go through the arch (El Arco de los Gigantes). Just as you step through, you’ll see another mirador off to the left. That’s the Mirador Michael Hoskin, named after the scientist who studied the Dolmens of Antequera.
The views are similar to those of the Mirador de las Almenillas but with more views of the east, south-east and south – you’ll see the Peña de los Enamorados, the Iglesia del Carmen…and the river and sharp cliffs below which lead to the mountains that loom behind the city.
4. Alcazaba of Antequera
Note that you have to pay to get into the Alcazaba (the old Moorish fortress). But it is free Tuesday afternoons from 2 – 6 pm.
The Alcazaba is the highest point in the city and it has 2 towers with great views: The Torre del Homenaje is the main tower of the fortress and is said to be one of the largest towers built during the Muslim era in Andalusia. From here you get views looking straight down into the city.
The 2nd tower is the Torre Blanca and views there focus on the Alcazaba, the city beyond, and the mountains behind Antequera.
5. Mirador Nina de Antequera
This mirador is in a quiet spot in the shadows of the Alcazaba. It looks down on the river (Rio de la Villa) and the cliffs and hills across the river. But it also gives you unique views of Iglesia del Carmen and the Peña de los Enamorados on one side…and of the mountains on the other.
6. Mirador Puerta de Granada
I love this mirador because it gives you a totally different view to anywhere else is the city. Besides being the site of a pretty park, here you have views looking up at Iglesia del Carmen and the Alcazaba. It’s a beautiful green space (note: when coming here, make sure to go to the nearby Convento de Belén).
7. Mirador Iglesia del Carmen
The mirador of Iglesia del Carmen (one of the city’s top churches. Worth a visit). Here you have great views of the Peña de los Enamorados and the city’s skyline. Looking across you’ll see the walls below the Mirador Puerta de Granada.
8. Calle Jesus (and around)
Calle Jesus doesn’t have a mirador as such, but it has a few scenic spots that have unique views. One of the most photographed spots in all of Antequera is located here – it’s La Capilla del Portichuelo (the Portichuelo chapel). Go on the stairs to the right of the chapel, from the top you get good views of both the chapel and the Alcazaba behind it. Then go up Calle Jesus a bit, you’ll get lots of great views looking back towards the Alcazaba.
9. A-343 near intersection with Calle Jesus
From above, continue along Calle Jesus. The street ends at the intersection of A-343, the major road leading out of town. Go to the left, it’ll take about 5 minutes to get to a mirador. There you get a different view of the Alcazaba and the Peña de los Enamorados behind it.
10. Calle San Salvador…and Mirador calle San Salvador
I love this little street. Somehow most visitors miss it. It’s right behind the ex-church of Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor. When you’re at the church, looking at it head on, you’ll see a little alley to the right. That’s Callejón Del Aire. Follow it.
About a minute later you’ll pop out behind the church. Lots of views here of the mountains. It’s peaceful, with hardly anyone around and there’s usually a breeze. Go to the end of the street where you’ll have a view over some remaining walls of the Alcazaba. Google says there’s mirador here “Mirador Calle San Salvador”. There’s no mirador. But the views of the walls and mountains are great.
Continuing on…
11. Gravel track behind Alcazaba
Continuing on from the point above, follow the gravel road behind the Alcazaba. It gives you a very different view looking up at the fortress. Within a few minutes the road will lead to a parking lot. Continue just a bit further, you’ll see a path heading up through the trees to the Alcazaba. At the top you can literally touch the walls of the fortress. You have multiple views here. If you follow the walls to your left you’ll end up at a dead end within a couple of minutes. But you’ll have great views over the city.
12. Mirador Rio de La Villa
A completely different view that gives you a real appreciation for the various levels of fortifications that protected Antequera from intruders.
To get there, you can go down Calle Real from Plaza de Portichuelo (which is where #11 above leaves you). It’s a steep descent that brings you past a church (Parroquia de San Juan Bautista), an old factory, and across a bridge to the other side of the river. Sidestepping a lot of dog poop, make your way up the stairs to the lookout.
It’s a whole different perspective on the city. Just across from you you’ll see the Puerta de Malaga which was one of the original 4 city gates. Above it, you’ll see the walls you spotted at #10, the Mirador Calle San Salvador.
13. Near Restaurant el Mirador
The main road behind the city (the A-343) has superlative views. INCREDIBLE views. If you have a car I would suggest driving out of the city, then turning around and driving back in.
But if you don’t have a car, you can still enjoy the views along the main road. Walking past the camper park, you can walk on the side of the main road to the el Mirador restaurant. A lot of people come here for drinks. But even just for a walk it’s worth it.
14. Parque Atalaya de Gandía
A whole different perspective on the city. Parque Atalaya de Gandía is a very pretty park. In the middle of the park is a raised mirador with views from the west. In the right lighting, it almost looks like the head of Peña de los Enamorados is rising above the city.
See our video below featuring the above viewpoints
There are more viewpoints in Antequera, especially if willing to hike some of the hills just outside the city. But the 14 above will get you started and you’ll get a lot of great views, all with different perspectives of this stunning city.
Related: Visiting the Dolmens of Antequera
Related: 30 Photos that will make you want to visit Antequera (Spain)
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